DOWNING Street is being put under a microscope after allegedly holding more than a dozen parties and regular "wine time Fridays" during the height of the Covid pandemic.
The revelations that the Prime Minister and senior members of the Government may have partied while they imposed a strict coronavirus lockdown, potentially breaking their own rules, has prompted fury across the UK.
Despite a begrudging apology over one gathering, Boris Johnson has implored MPs to wait until the findings of a Whitehall inquiry are released before calling for anyone's resignation.
But what is this inquiry looking into and when will it be released?
Who is Sue Gray?
Sue Gray is a senior civil servant who has been working as the second permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office since May 2020.
READ MORE: Dominic Raab admits to Downing Street 'party' in car crash interview
This means she oversees responsibility for the Union and the condition and has responsibilities in Michael Gove’s department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Gray has been described as “the most powerful person in Britain you’ve never heard of”, “inquisitor-in-chief”, “deputy God” and by even as the “real leader” of the UK.
From 2012 to 2018, she was director-general of propriety and ethics in the Cabinet Office where she is said to have overseen ministerial reshuffles, helped to compile honours lists and even signed off political memoirs being published.
Former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake tells @GMB there should be an independent inquiry into Downing Street parties led by someone such as a retired judge. He doesn’t believe Sue Gray’s report can be truly independent.
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) January 17, 2022
The civil servant has held a long career in Whitehall and is seen as a fair arbiter. She is also said to have finished off the careers of three Tory ministers over beaching the ministerial code of conduct.
However, the SNP have previously warned the investigation must not turn into a "Whitehall whitewash" as they called for a fully independent, judge-led inquiry.
That came after it was reported that Gray may only give Johnson a slap on the wrist for his actions.
What is she looking at?
The inquiry’s official purpose is to "establish swiftly a general understanding of the nature of the gatherings, including attendance, the setting and the purpose, with reference to adherence to the guidance in place at the time".
Gray's inquiry started off looking into Downing Street parties held on November 27 and December 28 2020, as well as a gathering held at the Department for Education on December 10 on the same year.
Boris Johnson could face resignation if he is found to have misled Parliament
But after reports of more parties at Number 10 on April 10 and 16, 2021, they will also be included.
The latter date was the day before Prince Philip’s funeral and has seen the Prime Minister apologise to the Queen, who was pictured socially distanced and wearing a face mask at her husband’s funeral.
The Cabinet Office has also confirmed that "credible allegations relating to other gatherings" could also be investigated.
When will the report be published?
The report does not have a specific publication deadline, although there are reports it could be as early as next week. However, these sorts of inquiries can often take months to complete.
One issue, however, may be that as more parties continue to emerge from Westminster, the more the investigation may have to cover - and the longer it may take to complete.
Could this lead to Boris Johnson’s resignation?
Opposition MPs, around six Tory MPs and nearly all Tory MSPs have called on the Prime Minister to resign after the revelations of Downing Street parties.
Even the public think he should resign with 66% of UK voters saying he should go over the scandal, with the number rising to 79% in Scotland.
READ MORE: Dominic Cummings urged to become 'key witness' in partygate inquiry
While Johnson apologised to the House of Commons about one of the parties, he has repeatedly denied knowing they were parties, saying he thought one he attended was a “work event”.
The Prime Minister’s former Chief Advisor, who was in post at the time Boris Johnson broke the law, has said he is willing to testify on oath that the Prime Minister was warned about the Downing Street party, allowed it to go ahead anyway, attended it, and then lied to Parliament https://t.co/fp1KC7YB0t
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) January 17, 2022
Amid calls to resign, the Prime Minister has urged people to wait for the findings of the Gray inquiry.
His deputy, Dominic Raab, has suggested that if Johnson did lie to Parliament then he should resign.
What are the full dates of the alleged parties?
15 May 2020
20 May 2020
13 November 2020
25 November 2020
27 November 2020
10 December 2020
14 December 2020
15 December 2020
16 December 2020
17 December 2020
18 December 2020
December 2020 – date unknown
December 2020 – date unknown
16 April 2021
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